4 best replacements for Dennis Allen after Saints fire struggling HC

The New Orleans Saints finally made a move their fans had been screaming about for ages. Head coach Dennis Allen, who had one winning season out of six (it was 9-8 last year) and a career 26-53 record with both the Saints and Raiders, was fired on Monday.

Allen was on thin ice for quite some time, but a loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers made the players start openly venting on social media. Things got so poisonous that the only right move for a team that has now lost seven straight games was getting rid of Allen and starting a rebuild in New Orleans.

The Saints may not be a super attractive situation, as their cap situation will mean things likely need to be torn down to the studs amid a more serious rebuilding effort. Still, there are only 32 head coaching jobs, and someone is going to take on the challenge of winning with New Orleans.

4 best replacements for Dennis Allen as Saints head coach

4. Klint Kubiak, OC, New Orleans Saints

While special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has been named the interim head coach, as is often the case with midseason firings, Kubiak should get a look. Yet another descendent of the Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay trees, Kubiak will have a job as a high-ranking offensive coach in two seconds if New Orleans doesn't keep him this offseason.

The son of former Super Bowl head coach Gary Kubiak, Klint is well aware of the grind needed to make it in this league. In a league that is increasingly dominated by offensive coaches, Kubiak, still just 37 years old, might be too promising to let walk out the door.

3. Aaron Glenn, DC, Detroit Lions

While Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the hot name everyone wants to be their next head coach, Glenn might be a better fit in New Orleans. A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback who finished his career with the Saints, Glenn served as the team's defensive backs coach for five very successful seasons.

Glenn's work in Detroit has been exceptional, as he has taken one of the worst defenses in the league and turned it into a respectable unit over the last two seasons. Glenn is a great leader, which overrules concerns about his defensive background.

2. Joe Brady, OC, Buffalo Bills

Brady already never has to pay for a drink in Louisiana ever again, as the former LSU offensive coordinator helped Joe Burrow set records during their national championship season. After a tough go of it in Carolina, Brady has Josh Allen performing at a near-MVP level in Buffalo.

Brady's passing games are always productive and efficient, which could help Derek Carr (or whoever is under center in 2025) become the quarterback this team needs to make noise in the future.

1. Mike Vrabel, Former HC, Tennessee Titans

Vrabel overrules any concerns about background. A proven winner who managed to get to an AFC Championship game when he had a half-decent roster and dragged one of the worst rosters in the entire league to seven wins in 2023 should do well in New Orleans.

Ownership will need to pay up if they want him, however, as Vrabel is not going to come cheap at all. If the Saints splurge on Vrabel, New Orleans' rebuild may not take as long as everyone expects it to. If nothing else, they will be a tough team.